[VHFcontesting] What about me? I am captive.

[Bill Katt]

Sir, and others of your unfortunate opinions,

  It would be appreciated if you would stop badmouthing W2SZ.  It is
perhaps worth mentioning, for those who may not know, that W2SZ is a
callsign granted to a SMALL CLUB AT RPI.  That's Rensselaer
Polytechnic Institute, for those who may not know.  It's a small
school in Troy, NY where geeks from around the country gather to
pursue degrees in engineering, science, and the like.

  It is certainly worth mentioning that this list is freely available
to any who would search it out.  Similarly, it is worth mentioning
that many amateur radio operators are trained as HAMs as children,
growing up with a father or mother who operates.  Accordingly, these
young HAMs may contest, or simply read this list, unbeknownst to those
regulars in attendance.

  Further, some of these young operators may sometime attend RPI, and
have the chance to participate in the amateur radio club W2SZ while
there.  As a former officer of said club, I know that it is difficult
lately to attract people to this particular hobby, as with the advent
of instant messaging, cell phones, and the like, the possibility of
being able to talk to persons miles if not countries away has lost
some novelty and thus appeal.

  This being said, it is hard enough to attract new person to this
hobby without there being submitted for public perusal various
incentives to avoid it.  It is similarly hard to suggest to
independant amateur enthusiasts the benefits of joining a school club,
which for many has provided a wonderful place to congregate, discuss
ideas, etc., without those potential members having thrown in their
face that being a member of W2SZ, or even a former member, somehow
taints them and their opinions, making them 'less than HAMs' in a
way...  this should not be allowed.  Many might consider this outright
slander, as the concept presented thus far by the accusers seems to be
'guilty of anything we invent till proven innocent, and then still
guilty anyways'.

  You seem most interested in inventing bogey men, scaring children so
they'll behave and 'rove properly' or some such nonsense.  That the
primary arguments in favor of captivated roving are a desire to teach
HAMs new techniques, expand band use, and encourage activity during
contests while the primary arguments against captive rovers are that
they dare to use non-standard (but still quite legal) portions of
bands, possibly make their schedules in collaboration with others, do
not work enough stations to be considered 'real rovers', and are
affiliated with W2SZ (which seems to be a major component of at least
some definitions) is truly frightening.

  That many here would condemn a rover trying his or her best merely
because of minimal contacts made, rather than congratulating him or
her, is similarly terrifying.

  That the comment 'Please, think when able, sir. Then speak.' by Dave
Page was interpreted as a desire to restrict free speech (it being the
only part of Page's comments that could be interpreted to mean 'keep
your mouth shut') is sort of funny, really.

  However, that ANY of this so called evil and taint might be
associated with a school club whos goal is to share amateur radio with
students on campus, and to have a good time doing it, is truly
sinister.

  If those on this list really must continue believing in the 'captive
rover' myth, and accusing various rovers, stations and operators of
participating, please come forward with proof.  At LEAST have
something better than the 'blurry photograph of bigfoot' type of
evidence that seems to exist so far.  But regardless of what may be
said, PLEASE stop insulting those associated with W2SZ merely because
they're associated with W2SZ.

  Propagation is part of radio, I realise this.  However, I somehow
doubt that the forefathers of the electron and other waveforms thought
that the propagation of rumors would become so common.  But leave the
guilt by association out of it.  It's not fair to those who might have
a good time with a good radio club to tell them that many HAMs
countrywide will suddenly think of them as dirt if they let themselves
join up.  And FAIRNESS is what this whole captive-rover spiel is
about, isn't it?

On 8/18/05, Bob Naumann - W5OV <w5ov at w5ov.com> wrote:
> KD3NC said:
> >My position is my own and not at all representative of W2SZ's
> operators or crew. <
> 
> Dave,
> 
> My noting of your association with W2SZ was not to imply that you
> represented them, but rather to show that you are biased in this
> discussion.
> 
> If you choose to continue to deny the fact that all of those captive
> rovers are part of the W2SZ team, and therefore should be subject to
> the rules as I described earlier, please feel free to continue living
> in denial.
> 
> I am going to continue to speak out, and express my very differing
> opinion.
> 
> You also seem to think that this somehow is driven by my needing to
> improve my score, or will give me some competitive advantage, wrong
> again.
> 
> Did you think I was empowered to change the rules?  Thanks, but that is
> done by people at or directed by the people at the ARRL HQ.
> 
> Strange that you mention Stalin, since you want to prevent me from
> speaking freely.
> 
> 73,
> Bob W5OV
> 
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